41 8 PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



BANKS, MAILS, TRANSPORTATION, AND IMPORTS. 



The middle class of writing paper, costing from $i to $1.38 per 

 ream, is imported, mainly from Russia; wrapping paper comes from 

 Japan. Banking facilities are good. There is at present no duty 

 on this class of goods. Transport by water from Odessa takes forty 

 to forty-five days; overland from Moscow or St. Petersburg, thirty to 

 thirty-five days. Mail from Japan takes three to six days. There 

 are good telegraphic facilities. In 1896, writing paper was imported 

 as follows: From Russia, 6,512 poods (235,161 pounds); from other 

 countries, 9,832 poods (355,053 pounds). In 1897, the figures were: 

 From Russia, 2,397 poods (86,560 pounds); from other countries, 

 13,757 poods (495,774 pounds). 



OUTLOOK FOR AMERICAN TRADE. 



There is a good opening for our paper, if properly introduced. 

 I consider Mr. V. A. Pahoff, the editor of the Daloy Vostock news- 

 paper, who uses the largest quantity here, a reliable man to com- 

 municate with. He buys from Germany now, through Kunst & 

 Albers, but might take an agency. Mr. Jules Bryner* is well 

 informed as to resources, facilities, etc. Our exporters should main- 

 tain a general agency here and provide every facility for American 

 merchants to make their goods known throughout eastern Siberia. 

 A competent interpreter and a clerical force should be employed, and 

 a sample room opened where American goods could be stored and 

 displayed. 



RICHARD T. GREENER, 



VL ADI VOSTOCK, March 25, 1899. Commercial Agent. 



TURKEY IN ASIA. 

 BEIRUT. 



Beirut and Damascus, the leading cities of Syria, have a popula- 

 tion of some 350,000, about 40 per cent of whom are illiterate. The 

 Syrians possess no pronounced mechanical traits, but are good imi- 

 tators. This was manifested by the establishment some fifteen years 

 ago of a paper mill at Ant-Elias, some 7 miles out of Beirut. While 

 this mill was in operation, the importation of foreign paper to Syria 

 decreased very materially. The machinery was imported from 

 Europe. Rags from Egypt and Syria formed the principal raw 

 material, while French and English coal (bricks or briquettes, now 

 worth $8 per ton) was used as fuel. The skilled labor was paid at 

 the rate of about 85 cents per day, while girls for assorting rags 



* Bryner, Kosnitzkoff & Co. 



